DIRTY SABAN.
ProFootballTalk has produced some of the most specious, unfounded gossip you’ll ever hear anywhere. They also have a clip of Nick Saban saying the following on tape, but have bleeped the profanity for reasons we can’t possibly explain. Who doesn’t want to hear Nick “Window Treatments” Saban rolling in the profanity pit as we know he really does? You don’t make grown men who play offensive line weep with goshdarnits, after all.
They have the audio here, but the dialogue reads as well as it sounds:
“My friends are okay with it. The rest of those guys? One of my, one of my guy on the board — you guys won’t be able to put this on the thing — was walking down the street, one of the Board of Trustees guys like these people around here and sitting up on the stage today at LSU, is walking down the street yesterday before the Sugar Bowl. He calls me. There’s a guy working in a ditch. One of those coon-ass guys that talk funny. I can’t talk like him but he can. Most people in Louisiana can. And he says, ‘Hey, you see where Coach Saban signed up with Alabama?’ You know however they talk. And the Board of Trustees guy says, ‘Yeah, I saw that.’ And he says, ‘That son of a bitch. I feel like he’s f–king my wife.’”
Coonass seems to be acceptable usage here as long as you’ve actually logged some time in Louisiana, but expect no serious flak from this. Expect some masterful signs from Auburn fans referencing this one. In fact, please accept our humble submission done with the magic of Microsoft Paint. Should Auburn win the Iron Bowl again in 2007, we beg Tiger fans to use it.

Kind of makes ‘fear the thumb’ take on lascivious meanings you hadn’t considered before.









1
sevenDs says:
While I find your suggestion very funny. I mean very funny. I would hope that my fellow Auburn fans and the student body would not stoop to this level of…
….wait a minute, this is Alabama we’re talking about. Fire away boys!
PS: Does anyone know how to get soup out of a keyboad? Is it safe to use a wet vac?
January 31st, 2007 at 1:44 pm
2
Cool Hand Mike says:
Who wants to bet the LSU-Bama game is nationally televised?
With all these storylines, this is going to be bigger that “Who shot JR?”, the Clinton grand jury testimony, and the Seinfeld finale.
Truly riveting shit!!!
January 31st, 2007 at 1:48 pm
3
Geaux Irish says:
“F*cuking your wife six times in a row.”
I think Bill Belichick could use that sign too:
http://questionablecommentary.squarespace.com/journal/2007/1/31/barry-barry-quite-contrary.html
January 31st, 2007 at 1:49 pm
4
Cardiac Kids says:
That’s acceptable because Saban is still a god down there. He can make fun of the coonasses. That’s the humor.
January 31st, 2007 at 2:02 pm
5
HFS says:
I think they real payback will be Saban enjoying their pain. The disprect lots of LSU fans felt has now been confirmed, and the hatred will only increase.
Anyone got tickets to bama’s next game in Red Stick? I’ll wear green and watch the carnage.
January 31st, 2007 at 2:14 pm
6
HFS says:
I think the real problem is Saban enjoying their pain so much. The disprect lots of LSU fans felt has now been confirmed, and the hatred will only increase.
Anyone got tickets to bama’s next game in Red Stick? I’ll wear green and watch the carnage.
January 31st, 2007 at 2:14 pm
7
bama_buck says:
Help me out here.
When used in the context of Louisiana, “coonass” doens’t have a racial connotation does it? I’ve heard a friend, who is far too cultured to drop an n-bomb, use this term to describe folks from Louisiana, so I assume this term is not to be confused with a similar racial slur I heard growing up in Alabama.
As far as I can tell, it’s still perfectly acceptable to make comments degrading southern white people, so there hopefully should not be any national fallout.
January 31st, 2007 at 2:16 pm
8
hookem76 says:
“Coonass” is not a racial term at all. It refers to cajuns and they proudly sport the monicker. So he’s not being offensive. The only reason an LSU fan needs to hate Saban stands on their side lines and wears a trucker hat.
January 31st, 2007 at 2:19 pm
9
Tarpon says:
As a resident of Southeast Louisiana, I can tell you all a coonass is someone (white) from the bayou country. It is not really a derogatory word either, friends call each other a coonass if they do something stupid or get fired up and start talking like one. It’s a creole thing, you wouldn’t understand
January 31st, 2007 at 2:20 pm
10
Beer Baron says:
Coonass=someone from Southern Louisiana.
North Louisiana is reserved for the hicks and rednecks.
I concur with hookem, coonasses are suprisingly proud of the name.
January 31st, 2007 at 2:25 pm
11
canuck says:
Someone’s trike got stolen and it’s all Urban’s fault:
http://houserockbuilt.blogspot.com/2007/01/round-and-round-goes-wheel-of-pain.html
Coaches move. Player’s move. But after signing day coaches do whatever Todd Graham inspires them to.
January 31st, 2007 at 2:34 pm
12
Brew(ster) Crew says:
If the Bama-LSU game isn’t nationally televised, I’ll have to leave the tropical Minnesota climates and brave my way to uncharted territory: A SEC stadium. This is building into one of those “Sell your kidney for tickets” type of game. I’m just waiting for another escalation, like Saban’s dog to get kidnapped, then returned a couple days later spraypainted with purple and gold tiger striping.
January 31st, 2007 at 2:37 pm
13
AUAlum says:
I don’t think PFT had it first, I believe those hateful bastards at Onepeat did. They would probably spent the time and energy or forging a press pass and sneaking in a tape recorder to an off-the-record conversation with Saban in hopes of embarassing their former leader. Like most SEC schools, they are quick to turn on their own.
Heaven help JaMarcus Russell if he ever becomes the QB coach at Tennessee.
January 31st, 2007 at 2:43 pm
14
TigerNacho says:
Not to get hyper-technical, but there are people who are offended by the term coon-ass – though it hasn’t gotten to the point where it’s referred to as the “c” word.
It started off, like all good ethnic slurs, directed at a particular group of people, Cajuns. It’s been adopted for use by some foks here, like most ethnic slurs. But some folks, especially people are are “in tune” with their cultural history, don’t like to hear it spoken. Most people that use it in South Louisiana mean to refer to country folk, indiscriminate of ethnicity – as it’s pretty hard to break down someone’s family tree to see if they were descended from the group of foks exiled from Nova Scotia by the British in 18th century.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coonass
(This dumb coonass doesn’t know html to link-ify this)
January 31st, 2007 at 2:52 pm
15
OmarBradley says:
Speaking of specious, unfounded gossip…. anyone hear the rumor that Jon Demps is getting kicked off the gators?
I don’t think the incident is coonass related.
January 31st, 2007 at 2:56 pm
16
TigerNacho says:
Oh. No need to link-i-fy. Neat.
January 31st, 2007 at 2:56 pm
17
Gator KK says:
OMG NIK SATAN IS TEH RACIST. RLY.
January 31st, 2007 at 2:58 pm
18
karlhungus12 says:
I’m an Auburn fan and even I think this is all very stupid. He told an off color joke that he probably shouldn’t have told. Big deal. LUS folks should be much more concerned about Saban poaching their recruits.
January 31st, 2007 at 3:14 pm
19
Enrico Pollazzo says:
AUAlum is right – Onepeat had the link first. People along the Gulf coast have been talking about the sound bite for the past few days. Also, Saban used the word properly – most people use it in an anecdotal sense.
January 31st, 2007 at 3:22 pm
20
Murphy says:
“Concerned about Saban poaching our recruits”?
You mean like Luther Davis, who can’t even spell GPA?
Those of us from South Louisiana who are children of coonass mothers don’t mind using the the term amongst ourselves. It doesn’t have the same connotation as the n-bomb. Outsiders using the term the way Saban did, causes offense to some (typically those with a low self-image). I can dismiss it as easily as I can dismiss anything spoken by a pathological liar.
Dat don’ mean I ain’ gon’ use it come ‘bama gametime.
January 31st, 2007 at 3:26 pm
21
karlhungus12 says:
Saban waking up in the morning probably causes offense to some people. I’m not saying he’s going to steal all of your players, I just mean if you’re gonna be mad at the guy, be mad at him for a real reason.
January 31st, 2007 at 3:29 pm
22
Cardiac Kids says:
Yeah Murphy, LSU didn’t really want Luther Davis. Gimme a break…y’all wanted Jerrell Powe and that guy was a complete thug/illiterate. The sad thing is that LSU doesn’t get every single recruit from Louisiana that can spell C-A-T. Pathetic.
January 31st, 2007 at 3:41 pm
23
Aerobab says:
I’m delighted to say that I learned a new word today! (HT: Coach Saban and TigerNacho)
I must admit though, I’m quite tired ot the double-standard of “we can call ourselves that name, but ya’ll aren’t allowed to”. PC hypersensitivity has got to stop. People have a right to free speech…not a right to not be offended.
January 31st, 2007 at 3:42 pm
24
Cardiac Kids says:
Oh and by the way, I think Nick Saban is not an “outsider” anymore in Louisiana…he won a national championship with the state’s only legitimate football program.
January 31st, 2007 at 3:43 pm
25
TigerNacho says:
I’ve thought about this a little, which is more than I think about most things.
What bugs me about Nick Saban using the term coonass is that he is Nick Saban and everything he does from here into the foreseeable future will chap my ass.
That’s all the reason I need. Leave me for the NFL, that’s one thing. Take a job with those crackers at Bama, that’s another. Now, he’s talkin bout my momma and daddy? It’s on.
January 31st, 2007 at 4:05 pm
26
Geauxing Red says:
That’s funny. Look, I’ve lived here in Louisiana all my life and my family is full of coonass’… if you’re a real coonass, you won’t be offended and if you ever have the pleasure (yes, pleasure… they are funny as hell) of meeting a coonass, then you’ll understand why.
January 31st, 2007 at 4:09 pm
27
Boclive says:
Yeah, but she’s just been layin’ there all limp and shit,
practically comatose from the Xanacs. It was closer to Necrophilia than anything else.
You don’t even know what she’s like when she thinks your a good date.
Come on back, though.
January 31st, 2007 at 4:41 pm
28
RaginCajunRebel says:
I am coonass, hear me roar.
Seriously, I don’t know one single coonass person that takes offense to that. Any LSU fan that takes offense to it does so because either: a) they don’t like anything Saban does from here on out, or (b) they’re from Baton Rouge, North Louisiana, or the north shore and they aren’t really coonasses to begin with.
This does not change the fact that Saban is an asshole, however.
January 31st, 2007 at 4:54 pm
29
mike says:
It’s a term that can be friendly or derogatory, depending on the context. The snide and snickering tone made it pretty clear what Saban intended.
January 31st, 2007 at 4:54 pm
30
RaginCajunRebel says:
exactly mike. I guess I should have been a little more clear. When you call anyone a name, no matter what it is, and you do so with the intention of insulting them or being derogatory, then one can take offense. Unless that name is “asshat,” as in, “That asshat said I fu*ked his wife.” That’s just funny.
January 31st, 2007 at 5:05 pm
31
TSOBO says:
Glenn Gilbo reported the same story although cleaned up in the Times Picuayune…
Fact is he is relating the exact words of a LSU BOT member….and an LU fan, he was merely elling the Miami mdia the story…..
January 31st, 2007 at 6:43 pm
32
TSOBO says:
TigerNacho, ignroant dumbazz, it is not an “ethnic” slur, it applies to no “ethnicity”, it has always been a warm fuzzy word embrace of someone with french blood….
PS Only the negroes would be dumb enough to adopt an “ethnic slur” into their typical language, dumb vulgar tards….
This is a non-story….
January 31st, 2007 at 6:46 pm
33
TSOBO says:
When Luther Davis was committed to LSwho, he was “coveted”, now he’s “illierate”…
He will qualify, by a lot more than your stereotypical coonass….most coonasses are too stupid to try to even be intelligible…
IDA TELA WHOOSE GUN B WUNAN GAYNE NIX YEA
DEBIE BAMA….RTR!
January 31st, 2007 at 6:50 pm
34
SeaTrojan says:
The racist interpretation definitely has some currency in SoCal On the Mason and Ireland radio show, Brooks (from Sports By Brooks) is calling it racist, saying he went to UGA and lived in Georgia. Mason, from Ohio, said he only has heard the term used in a racist sense. Ireland, who’s actually worked in Monroe, La. has tried to convince the other two and the listeners that it isn’t racist at all. He’s having limited success.
People believe what they want to believe.
January 31st, 2007 at 7:26 pm
35
Alex Hamilton says:
Fuck Auburn.
January 31st, 2007 at 9:11 pm
36
Cardiac Kids says:
Alex Hamilton,
That was the funniest post on here. I like your style…straight to the point and what everyone else was thinking and trying to beat around the bush to (I’m an Auburn fan, by the way).
January 31st, 2007 at 10:01 pm
37
DC Trojan says:
PS Only the negroes would be dumb enough to adopt an “ethnic slur” into their typical language, dumb vulgar tards….
Is it hard to type with the hood and sheets on, or do you have someone taking dictation?
January 31st, 2007 at 11:08 pm
38
Orson Swindle says:
Mr. Bigsby’s gone through a lot, DC. Let him be.
January 31st, 2007 at 11:37 pm
39
Cool Hand Mike says:
Son of a bitch!!!
Does this mean our coach has to go to rehab now?
February 1st, 2007 at 12:24 am
40
Newspaper Hack says:
Jeeeeeeeeeeesus.
You know that Saban didn’t do anything wrong when Auburn fans are leaping to his defense.
This’ll be a non-issue as of National Signing Day.
BTW — LSU, have any offensive linemen y’all don’t want? ‘Cause, you know, Bama needs some of those, too.
February 1st, 2007 at 1:00 am
41
bama_buck says:
My main concern is ESPN radio.
How will Bill Cowherd come down on this? Will there be a three hour rant on elitist/racist saban, or will he mock LSU or Miami press for being worried about it.
If nothing else he will elevate the level of discussion about this regional term, which I sure wish we didn’t havve to do in this context.
February 1st, 2007 at 7:43 am
42
The Great American says:
Is not Saban one of the stupidest coaches out there?
Whether or not the word is racist, saying the word in public, on top of a vulgar joke that is not all that funny, isn’t that about as dumb as you can get?
Will not every coach out there competing for key players with Saban, let a recruit hear Saban’s remarks?
Can you just imagine the Auburn Coach or some other telling a Black players mother: “At Auburn, our coaches do not use this type of language. Why trust your son for the next four or five years to Saban, a man who is vulgar and harbors ill will towards minorities?”
Believe you me, don’t you think a Black person hearing the “coonass” word from other parts of the South has a good chance of getting offended?
(Oh, this just in, Saban said his evil twin, the one who lied like a dog with fleas and said he was not takin’ the Bama job was the one that told the bad joke and used the ethnic remark.)
February 1st, 2007 at 8:36 am
43
Aerobab says:
Issue Resolved.
I think it’s funny how “race” and “ethnicity” causes a big stir. If Saban would have just said something more general such as“One of those ignorant, asshole, motherfuckin’ cocksuckers that talk funny…” instead of citing the specific “coonass” term, then nobody would have batted an eye.
God, I love America!
February 1st, 2007 at 9:23 am
44
Cardiac Kids says:
The Great American,
Where are you from? I’m guessing you’re a yankee, and you’ve never sat around with some buddies (which Saban probably considered the South Florida reporters as) and told a dirty joke…not even a dirty joke, but one that has cuss words. Yankee includes anyone from South Florida. Please respond truthfully…I’m curious.
February 1st, 2007 at 9:51 am
45
MassDad says:
Marketing Opportunity
Bright Yellow XXL T-Shirt
“Coonass’s United ” (in large purple letters in appropriate voodoo script, on front)
Large red elephant being devoured by mudbugs (on back)
Debut at this year’s UA game
February 1st, 2007 at 10:52 am
46
Beer Baron says:
Apparently coonass is now a slur. Colin Cowherd said so. It is also now bigotry for people of the same race to use terms to describe themselves. Oh well.
I would buy the shirt in #45 by the way.
February 1st, 2007 at 11:20 am
47
The Great American says:
#44: Cardiak Kid: Your answer: California, where we have white, black, brown, yellow, red and probably any other race and ethnicity you can think of (even cajuns and NASCAR fans)…. Is California not America? Or do you think the Confederacy is where it is at? You know and I know that behind closed doors everyone makes fun of other races or ethnicites, sometimes even your own, and dirty jokes of course are told, but to be STUPID or INSENSITIVE enough to do it in public, that to me is the issue, no?
If you are a highly touted Black high school player, let’s say from Florida or Michigan, why go play for a coach that uses the word “coonass” is his vocabulary?
February 1st, 2007 at 11:20 am
48
ricksteel says:
Are you people friggin’ stupid!?! Saban repeated a story the LSU BOT member told him. The LSU BOT member called the guy in the street a “coon-ass” not Saban. Anybody on this board or in the media who is covering this is guilty of the same thing Saban is right now: re-telling a story.
February 1st, 2007 at 11:38 am
49
Rainmaker says:
Great American,
The point which you seem to continue missing is that the term “coonass” is not a pejorative–period.
To the extent that it might be misrepresented by rival coaches in the recruiting context, such would be quite tame as far as negative recruiting tactics go. That’s to say, I think you’re overstating the case tremendously.
February 1st, 2007 at 12:23 pm
50
Beer Baron says:
Great American:
Coonass is a term which whites from southern louisiana use to describe themselves. is it racist to use a term to describe your own group.
it’s like a guy from tennessee calling his brother a hillbilly. or me calling my brother a hick (i’m from north louisiana).
February 1st, 2007 at 12:32 pm